October 4, 2002, Newsletter Issue #110: Oxide tips

Tip of the Week

Mixing
If you get tired of shaking and mixing those jars of paint, try adding a few ‘split shot’ sinkers to each jar.

Mixing Oxides
Keep in mind, Oxides are strong colorants, so a little bit goes a long way. In a solution you will probably only want about 2-8% or you will end up with black. Use a respirator or mask when handling the dry oxides.
Remember that using oxides like this will provide unpredictable, but sometimes beautiful results. Test! And Take Notes! (I had to throw that in because I am lousy at taking notes, but getting better. It definitely helps.)

Oxide over glaze effortlessly
When applying oxide over dry glaze, the glaze sucks the water out of your brush making it difficult to paint clean lines. Lightly mist the glaze first with water, and the oxide will flow smoothly.

Oxides compared to stains
How does oxide compare to stain? An oxide is a raw material. A stain is a commercial blend of raw materials (including oxides) to achieve an accurate, consistent color. Glazes and slips made with stain will generally be more uniform, whereas those made with oxide will be more splotchy, speckly, and variable (in other words, beautiful!). There are four main colorants used. Sometimes you will see them as oxides, sometimes as carbonates. For example, cobalt oxide and cobalt carbonate. The oxides are generally stronger in color and coarser grained (more speckly.) The carbonates are generally finer grained.

Remove unfired oxide
To remove oxide from bisque (mistakes or for designs) use a rubber pencil eraser. It won´t smear like trying to wash the oxide off.

The wonders of Glycerin
A few drops of glycerin (from the Chemist/drugstore) added to engobes, stains, oxides and slips slows drying time and increases workability.

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